More and more of that nueva cumbia heat that's been scorching el Lab of late. These are official copies of the killer 'Sonidera Colombiana' mixtape from Buenos Aires' DJ Vampiros, repressed for cumbia connoisseur Sonido Martines' recent Euro tour and smuggled back...
expand review to the States by a certain globe-trotting DJ/producer friend of ours. Throughout the 34 track mix, Vampiros blends styles and sounds from heaps of different regions, including the well-known "cumbia digital" coming out of Argentina, but extending to cumbia villera (gangsta cumbia), Mexican and Colombian tunes, and even some mashes that tread into current US rap. Can't say enough good things about this mix - if you haven't taken the plunge yet, let this be your intro to cumbia. If you're already a convert, this the legit shit! Includes tracks from Bersa Discos' Hijo de la Cumbia and Oro11, plus Grupo Sonador, Alberto Pedraza and many more. Clickealo! 70+ minutes. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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IDM is one of those genres that has a smattering of producers that really fuck it up for the rest of the good guys. It's a hard style to really perfect, and people think that smashing a mish-mash of dumb noises, effects,...
expand review and some droning bassline equals success - but thank fucking GOD for Kiln. Sunbox was one of those albums I used to listen to while driving around Michigan with my windows down, late at night, cruising through tree-lined streets and just enjoying the fact I wasn't doing anything. I could honestly listen to "Ghost(1)" on repeat for days on end and never get sick of its subtle blurps and crackles. Equally impressive is "Season(2)," with this calming chords and a warmth that shows that ambient is much like a fine wine - it just goes better when it's simple, and it's best to let it sit for a while before you dive in to it (Boy - that was the queerest thing I've said in... well... probably five minutes). Anyway... "Lux(3)" bubbles and broods along magically, and I honestly can say that its probably one of the most relaxing tracks Kiln has ever produced. This trio of producers sure know how to make some insanely good ambient - god bless Ghostly for putting out yet another marvelous album. Recommended. -minimal man
The Lawnchair Generals have only been around since 2001, yet they are some of the most respected producers in the world of house music. They're also the types of producers who slave over their tracks for a very very long time, so...
expand review their releases are few and far between, causing mass chaos whenever a new record drops. Honestly, they have never put out a bad, or anything even close to a bad or mediocre track. Here on Nordic Trax, we are in for a treat, with their brand new mix CD that features all their own stellar tracks. If you've ever seen these boys play, you know this CD is going to be great. Featuring such hits as "Love Could Be," under their Town and Country moniker, as well as "I Go Now" and "I've Been Thinking," the mix keeps its upbeat party vibe going throughout all fifteen tracks. Don't miss out on this already classic mix! -Alison Tara
This one should totally be reviewed by Alison (funky, chunky house all over this piece!), but I'll break it down for you anyway. You already know what's up with the Fabric series (big DJs doing a live set for one of UK's...
expand review biggest clubs) and for volume 40 they've recruited Mr. Mushroom Jazz himself, Mark Farina. The mix isn't the usual downtempo-ish, acid jazz style he's most famous for, but rather his feel-good funky house side. It's a smoooth journey through the jazzy, boompty-boomp Chicago house styles of today from the likes of Chuck Love, Mood II Swing, DJ Sneak, King Kooba, Inland Knights, JT Donaldson & Uneaq, Johnny Fiasco, Lawnchair Generals, and Farina himself. Of course the mixing is flawless SF style and the groove keeps you moving for the entire 70+ minutes. Packaged in the usual embossed metal box with complete fold-out tracklist. -snackmaster
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Mestizo & Mike Gao both work at the LA store, so I figured we go back and give them some back catalog shine. It's funny how people's talent are not so evident if you're low-key like these guys (I didn't even know...
expand review about JJ's alter-ego until he was at the store for a year). So it appears that these have quite an underground following, they've come just come off of Japan tour and Shota the Database has been hailing the Lab connection as some sort of miracle. This is their collaborative album from 2005, and features Mestizo on the mic and Mike on the boards, with about half of the album being instrumental. Check the smoky-confident steez: "Redden Rise(1), Save It For Yesterday(2), Mr. Enthusiastic(3), Shattered Glass Girl(4), Mail Order Bride(5)," and "Avena's Lullaby(6)." 19 tracks deep. -the mgmnt
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This long awaited full length sums up the last 3 years of work from Metro Area, one of the most in-demand production teams around right now. Metro Area consists of Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani and since teaming up they have done...
expand review no wrong, releasing four very successful EPs on Morgan's label, Environ. The EPs, entitled simply Metro Area 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been incredibly successful and equally hard to find, which has done nothing but fuel the demand for Metro Area tracks. Here they compile new edits of their out of print classics such as "Caught Up(1)" and "Machine Vibes(3)." The addition of new gems like "Dance Reaction(4)" round it out nicely and make this a must to all fans. As for their sound, it's a mixture of live and electronic instruments- think early soulful, instrumental disco augmented by atmospheric chords and some slightly techno flourishes. Fresh, but with a strong nod to the past. This CD version includes 3 tracks not available on the LP: "Muira, Strut" and the track that could be their finest moment, "Pina." -James Patton
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Now on CD with enhanced content, including the various "parts" of the track to make your own remix, the music video, and a "making of." First single from M.I.A.'s new album - do I really have to keep writing? Produced by London's...
expand review Switch, "Boyz" sounds bigger and more set on party-starting than anything off of Arular, and that's a good look for ol' M.I.A. It's a bit more tame than the excessively weird early leaker "Bird Flu," but considering this is Switch producing a pop record, I'd say it lands right where it needs to be. Okay, I've filled enough space, you can add this to your cart now. Includes main, instrumental and acapella versions. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This one gets the... hooooly chit! Look at that tracklist - it's like they custom built this CD for the Lab. I'm gonna go out on a (short) limb and say this is the best M.I.A. single to date. We get Blaqstarr's...
expand review remix(1) with Rye Rye, Diplo's remix(2) with Bun B and Rich Boy, Scottie B.'s ultra weird Bmore club styles(3) and the DFA(4) getting down like usual. Even Adrock from Beastie Boys(5) couldn't help but get in on it with a reggae-tinged mix of his own. There's a mix here for everybody; drop one at your next gig and *boom boom boom boom* take the money. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Fresh off the success of NOW's In A Space album, Warp has reissued NOW's most popular album from 1995, Smoker's Delight. I always thought the cover and title had a lot to do with the album's popularity. I remember seeing that juicy...
expand review cover and wanting to buy it without even listening to it, followed by a sesh at home with dime of NYC's bottom level brown mexi. Underneath the exterior, the album manages to live up to its presentation. Start with the Quincy Jones' sampling "Night's Introlude(1)" which establishes the album's thick, dense sound. Relax to the oversized basslines of "Wait A Minute(2)" and wonder at the intriguing interludes like "Me + You(3)" and "Time." "Groove Str(4), Man Tha Journey(5)" and "Bless My Soul(6)" were my shit back then, back when you could rock 90bpm instrumental tracks and have the dough boys go crazy (strange times). In retrospect, this album was much more realized than its downtempo counterparts, dude was already way more advanced than the cut and paste of the day. A downtempo classic indeed. A long one too with 16 tracks and over an hour of music. -the mgmnt
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This is the most anticipated electronica albums of 2008 thus far. Osborne has twisted our expectations of what a Ghostly/Spectral album should sound like... infusing downtempo, deep house, acid, minimal, and soul. Even my electronica-burned ears found instant solace in his very...
expand review approachable sound. The opener, "16 Stage(1)" with its warm sensations, feels like being in the womb. "Downtown(2)" awakens us with soulful house chords that you expect to hear at The Shelter. "Evenmore(3)" is the first song of the album to have that Spectral sound, but there's a certain richness that wasn't there before. "L8(4)" serves as album's first apex, blending Metro Area-type finesse and harder, old-school Chicago methodologies. The album comes back for a rest on "Suffer(5)" a gorgeous downtempo moment. In an instant, you're transported to "Our Definition of A Breakdown(6)," a half-serious, candid mess-around outtake that really gives the album that extra level of character (kind of like an old De La Soul interlude). From there, we really get to the meat of the album with DJ favorite singles like "Ruling(7), Afrika(8), "Outta Site(9)," and other new surprises. For the final taste and opposite extreme, check out the bug out moment "Junk Food(10)." It so works in this context. 15 tracks in all, and not a weak moment. Highly recommended. -the mgmnt
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Brand new full-length from DC Recordings duo Padded Cell. Been into these cats ever since their 12" releases in '05. Dark Disco, Devil's Disco, call it what you want, it's not like the new stuff that's coming out. Padded Cell's sound touts...
expand review a cool foundation in dark grooves, with live instrumentation and free elements. So, after 3 years of waiting, the album is finally together with terrific eerie, psychedelic artwork as always, and a bunch of new tracks as well as their previous singles. Check the deep bass, dubbed out synths and vocoder on their newest single "Savage Skulls(1)" and the Arthur Russell-inspired sounds of "Faces Of The Forest(2)." That wailing sax is so good. Also check their newest cuts like the new wave vocals of Chloe Battant on "Word of Mouth(3)" and the Italo sounds of "Far Beneath London(4)." And in case you slept in '05, you get edits of their previous bangers such as "Are You Anywhere(5)" and my record bag staple "Konkorde Lafayette(6)." I personally love mixing that one 'cause it opens your set to anything - classic disco, modern dance, house, etc. With all these and the other sleepers on here, you can say that it was well worth the wait. -C'mish
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The full length Piano Overlord project from Scott Herren aka Prefuse, and we did it up deluxe for you with the cd housed in a super jewel box (needs to be seen) and all the Piano Overlord remixes included. If you haven't...
expand review been following the singles we've released (both of which are now out of print), this is another guise for the prolific Herren, where he played all instruments- primarily Rhodes, busted Wurlitzer, and drums- for all the songs, and rearranged them in his studio in Spain. We think it's some of his best work, landing favorably between the Prefuse and Savath & Savalas styles. Lush and live sounding but with a slight production edge- check tracks like "Springs Arrival(1), Agoraphobia(2), Walk Home(3)" and "Stay Home(4)" for the goods. Bonus tracks on the CD include the unreleased alternate take(5) of Diplo's remix, Blu Jemz' "Keyboard King(6)" vocal mix, the Adventure Time "Sleepy Keys(7)" remix, and Count Bass D's vocal mix(8). -the mgmnt
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SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase the debut CD from Pink Skull and receive a Free News Projects sticker pack with Pink Skull stickers designed by Matt Leines.
Pink Skull are always killing on the remixes (see: Spank Rock, Architecture In Helsinki, HEALTH, Plastic Little), but...
expand review their latest full-length truly showcases Julian Grefe & Justin Geller's considerable production skills and deep knowledge in all fields of "dance musics." (I think they got doctorates.) They go quasi-retro 80s style on "El Topo(1)," skronky tribal beating on "U.g.uo.aaaahhhhh(2)," even some hefty downtempo with "Zing Zong(3)." Previously vinyl-only singles "Gonzo's Cointreau(4),"
"Bubblelog Aftermath(5)" and "Unicorn Harpoon(6)" are collected up here, as well as the Skull's remixes for Plastic Little ("Crambodia(7)" with Ghostface, Spank Rock & Amanda Blank) and Icy Demons ("1850(8)"). Guest appearances from Man Man's Billy Blaise Dufala, Higher Burning Fire's Jon Anderson and K Records' Mirah on the lovely closer, "Take Me Out Riding."
14 tracks; 65 minutes total. -Chris Lemon-Red
It's pretty hard to find "modern" electrofunk that can rival the sounds of Newcleus or Bambataa, but Poly does a standout job of translating that sound for today's ear. Kind of sounds like the mood of Morgan Geist or Kerrier District, but...
expand review with a much heavier electro influence. If you are in to these sounds at all, I heavily recommend picking this up while it's around. This extremely limited CD (good luck finding it in stores) features material soon to be officially released, and some goodies you probably won't be able to find elsewhere. Label description: "Poly brings you a cd of electrofunk to accompany you through your life. All of the music was recorded live, featuring rare equipment in the hands of the beings of light." Wow. 5 tracks, 40 minutes strong. -snackmaster
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I know you've all been waiting for another installment from our favorite downtempo/trip hop trio Portishead. Well, here it is! And we only had to wait like 10 years. Like many of you I'm sure, I was in middle school when Dummy...
expand review came out. When I heard it I was in love. Their whole sound was so unique and unlike anything else at the time. Even still, no one really does what they do. You can put them in whatever box you want, but I think ultimately they stand alone. When I first listened to Third I guess I was expecting/hoping it to sound exactly like their other records. It doesn't. But the more I listen to it, the more I realize it has all the elements of what we already love about them, it's just presented differently. The beats are actually more sparse, but almost with an industrial/metallic sound. Not like NIN industrial, so don't freak out. It just doesn't have that certain smoothness that came with their earlier stuff. Check out "Hunter(1)," "Rip(2)" or "Nylon Smile(3)" if you want start out with something familiar. But then please, branch out. Listen to the whole thing. It will grow on you. 11 tracks; 50 minutes. -RikRok
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New Prefuse album out of nowhere?! Sort of. On the Warp site he says "it's not a follow up to Surrounded By Silence, but merely a transition between the last album and what's to come- and the next one is going to...
expand review be completely different all together." So this one is like a collection of 18 tracks (some real short) that he's been working on in the meantime. And as opposed to a lot of his recent work, he's almost exclusively solo on here (with the exception of two collab's with Four Tet), with the sound goes back to the chopped up compositions that we first heard on Uprock Narratives. FULL REVIEW COMING SOON. -the mgmnt
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Concrete Grooves label head Presto with his second full length album. Following 2003's Inflight Instrumentals album, Presto switches it up with an album consisting primarily of emcee collaborations. Presto is one of the most consistent producers in the downtempo game. Persistent might...
expand review actually be a more apt description, as he's become one of the few torch bearers of that mid-nineties, jazz-inflected, boom-bap sound a la Tribe, Large Professor, and Beatminerz. Here's a few of my favorites: "Breath Control(1)" feat. Lowd, "Think It Thru(2)" featuring Raashan Ahmad, "Right Here(3)" featuring J.Medeiros & Kim Hill, and "Back In 92(4)" feat. Lowd. As for the instrumental tracks, they're all predictably smooth, check "Spectra(5), The Dream(6)," and "Old Skool To The New(7)." 15 tracks in all. -the mgmnt
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Quiet Village is crate-digger extraordinaire Joel Martin and dance music master Matt Edwards (aka Radio Slave) making "sophisticated exotica for adults." Yup, that's pretty much the best description for it (from their own words). "Silent Movie" is their debut full length album...
expand review and after sporting a few sought-after singles on Whatever We Want and a some remixes for the likes of Francois K, Cosmo Vitelli, and Gorillaz, you already know its going to be serious. There aren't really any new albums of coming out that can take you through the realms of vintage movie soundtracks, library music, disco, soul, acid rock, and breaks, tropicalia and balearica all in one long play, but somehow "Silent Movie" does that - and does it exceptionally well. It's definitely one of those albums that has a kind of timeless feel - like was it made in the past? is it new? does it matter since it's so good? - and will definitely grow on you the more you listen to it and delve into the tracks. But enough blurbing, just take a listen to these selections and let the music speak for itself - "Circus Of Horror(1)," "Free Rider(2)," "Too High To Move(3)," "Pillow Talk(4)," "Can't Be Beat(5)," "Gold Rush(6)," and "Singing Sand(7)." 12 tracks total. Recommended. -snackmaster
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After a busy 2007, Red Astaire started his 08 assault with a one-sided, white label pressing of the title track(1) (included here). Predictably, the record flew out of here, and just in time, he's come back harder with 5 additional tracks. Red...
expand review always has the club dj in mind, mixing well crafted dance breakbeats with party break aesthetics. Check "2 For The Time(2)" which mixes mambo, latin breaks, and a De La Soul vocal snippet. Downtempo heads, Reds also got something for you, check the blunted "In The Sunshine(3)." Lastly check the tasty, loop interlude "We're Gonna Party Now(4)." -the mgmnt
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Full album's worth of rarely heard RZA instrumentals, from his UK-only 'World According To RZA' album. The album found him working with emcees from around the globe, but as RZA tracks go... if Wu ain't on 'em, just gimme the beats please!...
expand review I'm not gonna say any of these beats are 36 Chambers caliber, but stuff like "Mesmerize(1)" kinda takes you back. Sounds like a post-millenial update on "Can It All Be So Simple," which is crazy meta if you think about it. Other tracks to check: "Please Tends L'oreille(2)," "Souls On Fire(3)," "Ich Weiss (On My Mind)(4)" and "Hotel(5)." Have RZA and Madlib gotten up yet? They oughta. 13 tracks; 48 minutes. -Larri Byrd
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